Electric Forces between three charges

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the electric forces acting on an electron near a positive ion with a charge of +9e and a negative ion with a charge of -8e. The user initially attempted to use Coulomb's Law, represented by the formula F = k(q1 * q2 / r^2), but arrived at an incorrect result of 2.235e-16 N. The error was attributed to using the calculator in the wrong mode, highlighting the importance of ensuring proper settings when performing calculations in physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Coulomb's Law and electric forces
  • Familiarity with vector addition in physics
  • Basic knowledge of trigonometry, particularly angle measurement
  • Experience with scientific calculators and their modes
NEXT STEPS
  • Review Coulomb's Law and its applications in electrostatics
  • Learn about vector addition techniques in physics
  • Study the effects of angle measurement on force calculations
  • Explore the functionality of scientific calculators for physics problems
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on electrostatics, as well as educators and anyone interested in understanding electric forces and their calculations.

thst1003
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
17-p-009-alt.gif


An electron is near a positive ion of charge +9e and a negative ion of charge −8e (see the figure below). (Take a = 5.23 µm, b = 4.28 µm, and θ = 54.9°.)

(a) Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant force on the electron. (Let right be the +x-direction. Measure the angle counter-clockwise from the +x-axis.)

F = k(q x q/r^2)


I tried using this equation and then finally doing vector addition and I got an answer of: 2.235e-16 N and this was wrong.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Then I guess you used the equation or did the vector addition wrong...

Care to show some of your work?
 
Thanks! I actually was using my calculator in the incorrect mode. I figure it out. I really appreciate it.
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K